News & Events

Fidanza speaks at Sustainable Turf Conference in Czech Republic

Dr. Michael Fidanza, Associate Professor of Horticulture, was invited to speak at the New Findings for Sustainable Turfgrass Management conference, an event sponsored by Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry and the Czech Greenskeepers Association. The meeting was held December 1-3, 2009 in Brno. This is the first invited turfgrass science and management program conducted by Mendel University. The event was covered by Crops, Soils, Agronomy News in their February 2010 issue.

Fidanza's research focus is turfgrass ecology, specifically turfgrass IPM and the evaluation of plant protection products (i.e., fungicides, herbicides, plant growth regulators) and cultural practices in turfgrass ecosystems, and the biology and ecology of fairy ring disease in turfgrass. Fidanza also investigates the benefits and uses of spent mushroom substrate for the lawn and landscape, crop production, and the environment. All research involves collaborations with scientists from many other academic institutions as well as industry.

Fidanza is active in the American Phytopathological Society, American Society of Agronomy, American Society of Horticultural Science (Associate Editor for HortTechnology), Crop Science Society of America, North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA Journal review board), Northeastern Weed Science Society of America, and many other professional and trade organizations.

Fidanza also conducts pedagogical research, and teaches undergraduate courses in Biology (Plants, Places, and People), Turfgrass  (The Turfgrasses), and Soils (Introduction to Soils. He was named by Golfweek's SuperNews as one of the "Top 40 Green Industry Professionals Under the Age of 40."